Thermal applicator



Jam 31, 1939. C F TQWNSAN 2,145,534:

THERMAL A'PPLIGATOR Filed Oct. 4: 1957,

6 Inventm' Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in thermal applicators for use in treating the eyes especially as an incident to refraction work by occulists and optometrists.

The invention is designed with the particular end in view of providing an instrument for connection to the usual house current and use by the patient to apply a mild heat to the closed eyes over the pupils and in the proper degree to suspend the accommodation and thereby facilitate opthalmic and retinoscopic examination in refracting work.

Another object is to provide an instrument of the character and for the purpose above indicated which is readily adjustable in accordance with variations in pupillary spacings and manipulative to apply a gentle massage to the closed eyes for stimulating the circulation and relaxing the muscles to thereby attain a general tonic effect.

To the accomplishment of the above, and subordinate objects, presently appearing, a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, set forth in detail'in the following description and defined in the claims appended hereto.

In the said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of my improved thermal applicator, and

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the illustrated embodiment of my invention comprises a frame I, of general rectangular form, including a pair of parallel tubular side members 2, preferably of aluminum, connected together by a pair of similar upper and lower transverse frame members 3 and 4, the side members 2 extending at their ends equi-distantly beyond the members 3 and 4 for a purpose presently clear. Intermediate the members 2 and parallel therewith is a central tubular frame member 5, similar to the other members, extending to and communicating with the interior of the members 3 and 4.

The side members 2 form tubular bearings for a pair of round aluminum rods 6 extending therethrough and provided with upper laterally offset, crank-like, ends 1 extending equi-distantly well beyond the upper ends of the members 2 and pro-- viding parallel terminal portions 8. The rods 6 are designed to be rotated in the frame members 2 into diiferent'set positions for a purpose presently described and to be clamped in such positions by thumb nuts 9 threaded onto the lower ends thereof against the members 2. A pair of conical eye cups l0, preferably of rubber, are detachably mounted on the terminal portions 8 by means of split sleeves H on said cups frictionally telescoping over said portions 8 and so that the extremities of the terminal portions 8 are disposed in said cups contiguous to the bottoms thereof.

A pair of heating coils [2 are sleeved over the extending upper ends of the frame members 2 for heating said ends and the rods 6. The heating coils I2 are designed to be connected to the house circuit by means of the usual plug-in line l3 leading from a socket l4 secured at the lower frame member 4 and to which leads l5 and I6 of the coils l 2 are connected by way of the frame member 5, said leads passing through the frame member 5 as will be understood. A heat indicator ll of any suitable form is mounted on the member 5, a thermometer being shown in the present instance. It should be stated at this point that the connection to the house circuit is to be made through the medium of a transformer, not shown, of a suitable type for lowering the amperage of the usual house circuit to a very low point.

Referring to the use of the invention, the extremities of the terminal portions 8 are designed to be applied to the closed eye lids approximately over the pupils, with the eye cups l0 pressed lightly against the eye lids, thereby applying a mild heat to the muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the eye. Usually a treatment of this kind from ten to fifteen minutes has been found sufficient to suspend the accommodation which is a desirable condition precedent to retinoscopic and refraction examinations. The described instrument may also be used in the same manner for longer or shorter periods of time according to eye conditions to obtain a general tonic effect through the well-known beneficial result of heat.- Also by gently rotating, or laterally moving, the instrument, a mild massage of the eyes may be obtained with beneficial effect as will be understood. By rotating the rod 6 in the frame members 2 to different set positions, in the manner previously described, the terminal portions 8 may be relatively adjusted to center the same over the eyes according to different pupillary spacings.

The foregoing will, it is thought, suffice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention as described is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to all such modifications falling within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:-

1. A thermal applicator for applying heat to the eyes over the pupils thereof comprising a frame including a pair of tubular side members, a pair of rod-like members rotatable in said frame members to difierent set positions and having cranklike ends extending equi-distantly from corresponding ends of the frame members, the extending ends comprising terminal parallel portions for application to the eyes relatively adjustable laterally in accordance with different pupillary spacings by rotation of said rods to'different set positions, a pair of eye cups detachably sleeved over said terminal portions, respectively, a pair of heating coils surrounding said ends of the frame members, and means to connectsaidcoils"- to a source of electrical energy including a-plugin line.

2. A thermal applicator forapplyingiheatto the eyes over the pupils thereof comprising a:

substantially rectangular frame, a pair of rodlike members rotatably mounted in said frame at opposite sides thereof, respectively, in laterally spaced relation for adjustment about parallel axes to difierent set positions, and having cranklike ends extending from the same side of the frame, said extending ends comprising terminal parallel portions for application to the eyes rela- 

